COMCEC Tourism Outlook 2017
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Figure 6.2 Challenges Affecting Tourism Performance in the Member Countries
These challenges should be addressed for the sustainable growth of tourism sector in the
Member States. These are common challenges among the countries; however, each member
state should specify the high-priority challenges considering its own conditions and try to solve
the problems in the tourism industry.
The issue of developing consistent tourism strategies and policies is also one of the main
challenges facingmany Member Countries, which are still experiencing difficulties in developing
integrated tourism policies. Effective administration, data collection, regulation and
institutional frameworks are important issues to be improved for the tourism activities.
The absence or weak publicity promotion and mass media exposure due to the limited
communication systems and technological services are other obstacles for tourismdevelopment
in the OIC Member Countries. It is recognized that electronic media (CD-ROM maps, Internet,
web sites, etc.) will be increasingly used for the purpose of choosing destinations and making
reservations. Therefore, the COMCEC countries should improve their promotion through
electronic official and social media.
6.2 Tourism Cooperation under the COMCEC Umbrella
Tourism cooperation could play a significant role in the socio-economic development of the
COMCEC Member Countries, if properly planned and managed.
The COMCEC Economic Summit, held in İstanbul in 2009, has prioritized the cooperation in the
field of tourism sector. Since then, the COMCEC has increased its efforts for enhancing
cooperation among the Member States in tourism.
In addition to ongoing activities such as Tourism Ministerial Meetings, workshops, seminars,
tourism fairs, COMCEC encourages modalities that enable involvement of relevant stakeholders
such as private sector and local communities in tourism activities. In this respect, the
“OIC/COMCEC Private Sector Tourism Forum” was established in 2011 and convened its 1st
Meeting on 7-8 December 2012 in İzmir, Turkey. The Forumannually brings together the private
sector representatives of the member states operating in the field of tourism to share their
experience and explore ways and means to enhance the cooperation in this field. The 2nd
Meeting of the OIC/COMCEC Private Sector Tourism Forum was held on 16-17 December 2013
Insufficient Tourism Investments and Infrastructure
Poor Tourism Planning & Product Development
Travel Facilitation Problems
Safety and Security Related Problems
Low Tourism Service Quality
Insufficient Marketing and Promotion
Insufficient Image Building and Branding